Staff & Leadership

We have three campuses: Citizens Academy, Citizens Academy East and Citizens Academy Southeast. Meet our entire team of dedicated, smart, talented, wonderful, and hard-working faculty and staff!

Citizens Academy Leadership

Staci McDaniel-Pratt, Model Leader Citizens Academies K-5

Staci McDaniel-Pratt is the Model Education Leader for all Citizens Academy Schools. In this role, Mrs. Pratt works with the principals to ensure that the academic program is strong in all the schools within the model. Mrs. Pratt has more than 10 years of experience with Citizens Academy as an Academic Coordinator and Director of Academics. Mrs. Pratt holds a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education and two master’s degrees, one in Gifted Education and one in Curriculum and Instruction, all from Kent State University. In addition, Mrs. Pratt holds a Math Specialist license. Mrs. Pratt joined CA in 2003 after working several years in other schools. Her leadership at CA was instrumental in helping the school become the success that it is today.

Kimberly Peterlin, Principal

Mrs. Kimberly Peterlin is the principal of Citizens Academy. Before assuming this role, Mrs. Peterlin had been a 3rd grade teacher and Special Education Coordinator at CA for the past 5 years. She is dedicated to the Citizens Academy culture and high expectations for all students. While she enjoyed being a Spartan and received her B.S. from Michigan State University, she came back to Cleveland to attend Cleveland State University for her education degree. When not at Citizens, Mrs. Peterlin enjoys visiting her daughter in Chicago, traveling to watching her son play college baseball and walking her dog, Mackenzie.

Lisa Quick, Citizens Academy Assistant Principal

Former Citizens Academy Teacher

Former Grade Level Team Leader

State Certified Teacher Mentor

Citizens Academy East Leadership

Renee Rewalt, Citizens Academy East Principal

Renee Rewalt is the principal of Citizens Academy East and has worked in the education field for over 8 years. Ms. Rewalt has a BA from Albion College and an MA in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Nevada Graduate School of Education. Ms. Rewalt was a Teach for America Corps member in Las Vegas prior to coming to Citizens Academy as a third grade teacher. She was the founding academic coordinator of CAE and helped establish the academic rigor at the school as well as such popular events as Dress Like a Character Day. Ms. Rewalt is committed to providing an excellent education to the children of Cleveland.

Clarissa Grimes, Citizens Academy East Assistant Principal

Former Citizens Academy 4th Grade Teacher

Former 4th Grade Team Leader

Teach for America Alumni

Citizens Academy Southeast

Lachelle Dixon-Harris, Citizens Academy Southeast Principal

Mrs. Lachelle Dixon-Harris is the principal of Citizens Academy Southeast. She received a BA in Elementary Education from Ursuline College as well as an MA from the Ashland Theological Seminary. She had extensive experience both as a teacher and administrator in early childhood settings prior to spending 12 ½ years as a teacher at Citizens Academy. While at CA, she developed her leadership skills by serving as Grade Level Team Leader and Resident Educator Mentor. During the 2014-15 school year, Mrs. Dixon-Harris participated as the first Breakthrough Leadership Institute School Leader Resident and completed an intensive year long program aimed at developing skills and competencies to successfully fulfill the role of principal. Mrs. Dixon-Harris has two other children who attend Citizens Academy schools.